Date and Time
Sunday, April 21st
1:00 pm (Doors open at 12:30 pm)
Tickets
$15
Buy TicketsPlace
The Shepherd Center
34 Center Street (William Street Entrance)
Fairhaven, MA 02719
Michael Persico’s Classic
Jazz and Swing Orchestra
Featuring the Jazz photography of Jack Bradley
“Pops, Satchmo, Louis” – The Immersive Experience
Experience the life, the musical history and legacy, the very essence of THE greatest icon of American Jazz, “Pops,” “Satchmo,” “Louis” Armstrong in a truly multi-dimensional immersive experience. Hear the greatest music of the Jazz Age played live on stage, by some of the finest jazz musicians anywhere, The Classic Jazz and Swing Orchestra. See images of Armstrong never before available to the public and hear the incredible story of how a young man born in Cotuit, Mass became the personal photographer and close personal friend of the great Louis Armstrong, all wrapped within the sounds that have become the foundations of American music.
Once the stage show begins, it’s a non-stop blend of photo exhibition, video projection, storytelling, and New Orleans street parade, all wrapped into an event to be remembered for a very long time. The historic, cultural, and educational value of this presentation make this a truly unique multi-media experience. This is something not to be missed!
The Cape’s own Jack Bradley, lauded by none other than the Louis Armstrong House Museum as “The Greatest Photo Taker” – a man Armstrong himself often called, “my son”, amassed thousands of candid images of the man that many credit with being the “father of jazz” as we know it today. Cape musician and educator, Michael Persico, a long-time family friend of the Bradley’s, created a team of top musicians, writers, multi-media editors, and friends to preserve and catalog Jack’s historic archives, and to create an entertainment experience unlike any other.
Bradley had unequaled access to all of the top performers of the day. Among his photos are “Pops” with many of the greats including Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Dizzy, and so many others. The vast majority of these photos are candid, “in the moment” images that show life as it was taking place.
Recent Performances
“Classic Jazz Visions – the Photography of Jack Bradley” was presented at The Louis Armstrong House Museum in Queens, NY on Thursday, September 28, 2023, to an enthusiastic audience.
Michael Persico was a featured speaker at this year’s Satchmo Summerfest in New Orleans, giving a seminar on “Classic Jazz Visions – the Photography of Jack Bradley”. He has also published a coffee table book featuring many never-before-seen pictures by Jack Bradley.
”Celebrating the photography of Jack Bradley with the Classic Jazz and Swing Orchestra at Wellfleet Preservation Hall was truly extraordinary. The event provided a captivating
Odessa Bricault, Director of Programs - Wellfleet Preservation Hall
glimpse into an exceptional body of work and offered an intimately nostalgic perspective on some of the most iconic figures in classic jazz history. Accompanied by the Classic Jazz and Swing Orchestra, the evening took on an enchanting ambiance. The orchestra's impeccable musicianship and commitment to the authentic sound of classic jazz and swing served as the perfect accompaniment to Bradley's visual narrative. The synergy between the music and the imagery transported the audience into the heart of the jazz scene, invoking a sense of nostalgia and reverence for the past.
”The Louis Armstrong House Museum recently hosted a live performance of Michael Persico's "Classic Jazz Visions" and it was a knockout from start to finish! Persico's Classic Jazz and Swing Orchestra is made up of some of the top musicians from the New England area and the combination of their swinging music set to the glorious images of Jack Bradley's photography made for an irresistible show. For anyone who loves Louis Armstrong, jazz music, beautiful photography, and the important cultural history of the 20th century, don't miss Classic Jazz Visions!
Ricky Riccardi-Senior Archivist - Louis Armstrong House Museum
